FreeLists / bristol-birds / [Bristol-Birds] Beartown Wilderness Area - Burke's Garden - Tazewell County

[Ed Talbott <aquilaet@xxxxxxxxx>]

Bristol Birders,
   
  Michelle and I joined three other hikers Sunday for a trip into the Beartown 
Wilderness Area in Tazewell County.  Beartown Tazewell is the fourth highest 
mountain in Virginia and rises to an elevation of 4,710 feet.  65 species of 
birds were located during the day including many high-altitude specialties.
   
  Most interesting bird of the day was a Ruffed Grouse.  I looked under a ledge 
that several hikers had just walked around and noticed a perfectly camouflaged 
hen sitting on her nest.  She flushed a couple of seconds after I stopped 
walking and revealed a nest with at least a dozen eggs.  For those interested, 
pictures of the nest as well as pictures from the hike can be found at:
  http://www.pbase.com/aquilaet/beartown2
  
We also found a half-dozen or so Bobolinks at the intersection of Route 608 and 
Rt. 91 in Tazewell County (this is the mouth of Ward Cove).
   
  Interesting high altitude species found on Beartown Tazewell included:
  Canada Warbler  (at least a half dozen singing)
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Veery
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Dark-eyed Junco
Common Raven
   
  We had a great time and I'm already planning a return visit via the AT and 
Chestnut Ridge.
   
  Ed and Michelle Talbott
  Grundy, Virginia

              
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